Top Selection
The Substance
Director Coralie Fargeat's unflinching commentary examines the oppressive nature of female beauty as well as the perceived horrors of growing older. Hollywood star Demi Moore offers a brilliant performance in the role of Elisabeth, a mature celebrity forced into starring in a fitness program on television. Edged out by her slimy boss Harvey, she seeks out a mysterious and terrifying procedure titled the Substance. This creates a youthful duplicate called Sue, leading to a steadily more vampiric relationship between them. Friday 17 October, Paramount+
The Woman in Cabin 10
This classic whodunit thriller stars Keira Knightley in the role of Laura, an ace reporter who opts for a hiatus from reporting on international wars to embark on an opulent ship with a terminally ill Norwegian shipping heiress and philanthropist, her spouse, as well as other extremely wealthy guests. However when an enigmatic female disappears from the ship one night and all passengers claims she was never there, her journalistic curiosity awaken. Available now, on Netflix
Presence Film
Soderbergh tests his directorial skills through this nifty supernatural story shot entirely from the viewpoint of the phantom. As a family featuring mother Rebekah and troubled teenage daughter Chloe moves into their fresh home, the filming device – as the unseen entity – tracks their movements. Chloe seems sensing the ghostly being, and it seems guarding her. But why? This is an entertaining concept that doesn't outstay its welcome, with a twist that could catch you off guard. Saturday 11 October, multiple showings, Sky Cinema
Nicolas Cage's Meta Comedy
The iconic actor embraces his cult stardom through this meta comedy caper. He plays an egotistical film star called Nicolas Cage who agrees to a $1m payday to appear at a birthday party at a Mediterranean location for the rich superfan Javi. Recruited by the intelligence agency to gather intel on the suspected cartel boss, Cage's “nouveau shamanic acting ability” is put to the test. Saturday 11 October, 9pm, Channel 4
The Black Phone Horror
Derrickson's claustrophobic thriller holds up well without requiring a continuation. Taking place in 1970s Colorado, several child abductions has left the children frightened. After Finney gets captured by “the Grabber” and imprisoned in a dungeon, he fears a terrible outcome. But the disconnected phone in the room keeps ringing, with spooky callers providing assistance, as the prophetic visions of his sister Gwen could save him. A solid creepfest. Saturday 11 October, nighttime, on Film4
The Tammy Faye Biopic
In the conflict between faith and wealth, the victory is clear for Mammon in Michael Showalter's wonderfully garish biopic of the disgraced TV preacher and her criminal husband. The actor plays the greedy Jim, who proclaims at the beginning, “God does not want us to be poor,”. He and Tammy Faye begin monetising the people's Christian beliefs. It's an extravaganza of bad interior design, excessive cosmetics and bad faith, yet Chastain manages to show Tammy Faye as a sympathetic figure. Next Tuesday, 1.15am, the Film4 channel
Black Bag
This period's another release from Steven Soderbergh presents a espionage tale as tight like the turtlenecks used by Fassbender's UK spy. He receives a mission with uncovering a mole among the team out of five possibilities – among them is his spouse. The two stars are masters of calm composure, resulting in an engaging psychological game of deception or honesty develops. Tom Burke, Regé-Jean Page, Naomie Harris and Marisa Abela join in the intelligent intelligence fun. Friday 17 October, various showings, the Sky channel
